The new Innokin Proton kit is yet another step for the normally conservative company into the high powered world of vaping and as to whether they’ve pulled it off we’ll look at in this review.

innokin proton kit review

When I say ‘conservative’ I don’t mean they vote Tory – rather they have always erred on the side of lower wattage safer devices resisting the urge to join the watt wars with their competitors.

I’ve been fortunate to review a ton of Innokin products and whilst I’m no-one’s ‘fan-boy’ on the whole I’ve been extremely impressed with pretty much all I’ve reviewed and used.

The iconic Coolfire IV TC 100 was the device that got me into sub ohm vaping – the recent Oceanus mod is still on my desk and still used regularly and many of my friends and family now have stopped smoking thanks to Innokin starter kits such as the Jem/GobyPocket Mod and Innokin Endura T20-S.

So this is a company not to be sniffed at and one never forgetting to produce superb starter kits for the smokers out there to take the step into vaping.

So how has the Proton performed and does it sit well with the rest of the excellent Innokin range?

Let’s take a closer look.

This was sent to me free of charge for the purpose of this review direct from Innokin – thank you – and as always my thoughts and opinions are indeed my own.

Inside the Box

The usual classy packaging we’ve come to expect from Innokin with lots of goodies inside:

proton kit box

  • 1x Proton MOD
  • 1x Scion II tank(0.36ohm installed)
  • 1x Plexus coil 0.15ohm
  • 1x Spare Glass Tube(5ml)
  • 1x Extra Drip Tip
  • 1x USB Charging Cable
  • 1x Spare O-rings Set
  • 1x Vape Band
  • 1x User Packet

proton kit contents

Specs

  • Product Dimensions: 85*44.6*29.6mm
  • Minimum / Maximum Wattage: 6.0W–235W
  • Minimum / Maximum Voltage: 0.0V–9.0V
  • Temperature Control range: 150℃–315℃/300℉–600℉
  • Maximum Charge Current: 2A
  • Maximum Output Current: 40A
  • Atomizer Resistance Range: 0.05ohm – 3.5ohm
  • 1.45″ TFT Color Screen Display
  • Joystick Selector Button
  • Side-Panel Squeeze Fire Button
  • 6 Color Display Themes
  • Individual Cell Battery Life Indicator
  • Stainless Steel 510 Threading
  • Dual 18650 Batteries

Innokin Proton Mod Quick Start Guide

  • X3 clicks of side bar to turn on and off
  • X3 clicks [press in!] of the joystick to enter menu
  • Use joystick to scroll through options and click once to select
  • Increase /decrease wattage and temp setting via joystick left/right or up/down
  • Hold fire push joystick right to lock and unlock
  • Hit fire bar to exit menu
  • Fill tank by pushing top cap to open

Key Features

The Proton is a dual 18650 box mod with a minimum and maximum output of 6.0w to 235w and features a side bar for firing.

The main thing of note is the joystick control which I think up until now has only featured on the SX Mini G Class despite Innokin suggesting it’s the ‘first of its kind’.

It’s the joystick that lets you get into the menu and also increase and decrease your wattage and temperature settings on the fly.

proton joystick

The menu is packed full of features with a temperature control suite – TCR – Curve [pre-heat options] – Bypass mode and other setting options including puff counter and the ability to change the colour of the display.

puff counter

The device is firmware upgradeable so keep an eye on Innokin’s site for more details.

The kit comes with the Scion 2 tank which we’ve covered in detail HERE – however the new Plexus coil is included.

plexus coil

This is Innokin’s take on a mesh coil which the company says not only delivers superb taste and clouds but lasts considerably longer than most stock coils on the market – three times as long actually!

As to whether that stands up we’ll look at soon.

Design and Build Quality

I say it every time I review an Innokin product – the build quality is as always outstanding however on the Proton there are a couple of niggles.Innokin proton kit in hand

The battery door doesn’t feel the sturdiest they’ve made – yes it latches together nicely and no there’s no rattle – it just doesn’t feel as well made as the rest of the mod.

proton battery door

The joystick works well 97% of the time with just the occasional glitch particularly moving left to right.

It protrudes a good few millimetres not making it the most pocket friendly device out there as it can and does move.

When popping it into your bag or pocket I recommend locking the device so your settings are unaltered by any ‘accidental pocket jiggling’ – the mind boggles!

The side fire panel is pleasantly clicky and clickable almost to its full length is suitable for both left and right handed vapers and can be thumb or finger fired or obviously by gripping.

proton fire bar

As to design it’s a shame they didn’t centre the 510 as where its situated gives the overall look of being a little off balance. Saying that it looks like it might take up to maybe a 28mm tank so there’s room enough.

proton 510

Centering it may have meant the mod being slighter wider but that’s no bad thing given it’s pretty slim already!

There’s a refreshing lack of logos and designs which always appeals to me with a very nice ‘subdued’ Proton logo at the top of the fire bar – Innokin stamped onto the base of the mod and Proton at the top and a very grippy textured back plate.

proton back view

The screen is an absolute joy – bit of a fingerprint magnet though – but it’s certainly crystal clear and you have the added bonus of changing the colours [a choice of 6 in total] which lifts the look of the mod wonderfully.

I received the full black version – something I tend to go for – it also comes in a contrasting gun metal and rainbow.

I have to say the rainbow version is absolutely stunning given the dazzling colours are accented and not all over the mod – very smart indeed.

Innokin proton size comparison
Proton size comparison

So apart from the off centre 510 – the Innokin Proton topped with the Scion 2 is a decent looking set-up – so how does it vape?

How Does the Innokin Proton Kit Perform?

First up the mod as you might expect being from Innokin performance wise this is very good indeed.

It’s almost instantaneous firing no matter where on the side bar you press.

The screen is maybe a little difficult to read in direct sunlight as it has a slight smokiness to it – however even with my tired old eyes it wasn’t really an issue.

proton screen

The joystick has a slight niggle that at times – particularly when pushing it left or right it doesn’t quite connect but that is rare.

Otherwise I’m actually very impressed with the joystick operation – if you haven’t used one trust me it very quickly becomes second nature – super-fast scrolling too!

I do worry the joystick knob given it protrudes a good couple of mm might take some knocks in pockets and bags somewhere down the line though so take care of it!

I did my usual very basic temp control – a stainless steel micro coil with dry cotton. After x3 fires there was little if any banding – so yet another good chip from Innokin.

As to if it hits 235w?

I’ll leave that to the experts but my gut tells me it will fall short of that…

As I’ve already stated we’ve reviewed the Scion 2 tank HERE – however let’s take a look at the new ‘semi-mesh’ Plexus coil Innokin has included.

Innokin Plexus Coil Performance

The claim is the Plexus coil will last up to three times longer than other coils on the market.

A bold claim indeed.

They also say the coil gives stable flavour – can take higher wattage with ease [up to 110w at 0.15ohm] and gives a good throat hit.

Not so sure the last bit is relevant to us sub ohm vapers and to be honest as far as that claim goes I didn’t really notice.

However the flavour off the Plexus coil is very good indeed taking just a fill and a half for it to really shine through – though do make sure you prime that coil well and let it sit for a good ten minutes!

And I have to say I’m extremely impressed with the durability of the Plexus coil – very impressed indeed.

plexus coil used

I had set aside a 60ml bottle of my go to e-liquid and at the time of writing this review I’ve ran about 40mls though it and as you can see from the photo – there’s little sign of darkening and the flavour is still crisp – great stuff!

Bit of a drinker though – as is the 0.36ohm coil included in the kit.

I’m sure many of you regular users of sub ohm coils have got used to the amount of juice they can drink so maybe not an issue to many.

By the way and as you might expect the clouds up there at 110w are incredible and just as impressive at the lower end of the power scale and it stays pretty cool too with a perfect warm vape.

Flavour wise there’s the slightest dimming at lower wattage but not really enough to notice.

Pros

  • Nice design
  • Good build quality
  • Side fire bar
  • Super fast fire time
  • Plenty of menu options
  • Choice of screen colours
  • Joystick control adds something ‘new’
  • Good battery life
  • Fast scrolling
  • Room for larger tanks
  • Scion 2 is a decent sub ohm tank
  • Plexus coil is very good indeed
  • Lightweight for a dual 18650 battery
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • 510 is off set
  • Joystick can be temperamental sometimes
  • Coils are heavy on the juice
  • Battery door may become an issue with constant use?

Final Review Verdict

If you’re looking for a high powered good looking vape kit I can’t recommend the Innokin Proton and Scion 2 highly enough.

It’s very comfortable in the hand with a large clear screen and extremely intuitive menu packed with options to keep those new to sub ohm vaping and the more experienced and demanding very happy indeed.

I just wish the designers had centred that 510 because for me it really does give it an unbalanced look.

The Scion 2 is a pretty good sub ohm tank but lifts to a whole new level with the inclusion of the Plexus coil.

I’ve found a very happy sweet spot using it at 97.5w and the flavour is as good as any other sub ohm tank I’ve tried and yeah the longevity is a good as Innokin state!

BTW you can get a Scion 2 RBA [bought separately] and given it’s very simple to build on its definitely one for the new builders to take the step up!

Now here’s yet another sign I’m a fickle old fellow – the all black version is shall we say a little ‘underwhelming’ to look at if I’m brutally honest.

However the pair with the coloured accents – especially the rainbow version – really does lift the design immensely so bare that in mind when you buy one – because you really should!

neil Humber 2
Neil Humber

I have simpler vape tastes these days - I never leave home without a Caliburn G, a Vaporesso Luxe 40 or Innokin EQ FLTR and a CBD vape pen or bottle of CBD drops in my rucksack...or indeed an Aspire Nautilus Prime X in my pocket... At home I'll be using various mods topped with the GeekVape Zeus X RTA or the Signature Mods Mono SQ topped with the Augvape BTFC RDA... I'm a former journalist and now a writer and sometimes author... I'm ex Army - adore dogs and never happier than hiking over the hills or with a good book on a beach.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Build Quality
9.5
Design
9
Mod Functions
9.5
Ease of Use
9.5
Flavour
9.5
Clouds
9.5
Likelihood of Replacing if Lost Or Damaged
9
I have simpler vape tastes these days - I never leave home without a Caliburn G, a Vaporesso Luxe 40 or Innokin EQ FLTR and a CBD vape pen or bottle of CBD drops in my rucksack...or indeed an Aspire Nautilus Prime X in my pocket... At home I'll be using various mods topped with the GeekVape Zeus X RTA or the Signature Mods Mono SQ topped with the Augvape BTFC RDA... I'm a former journalist and now a writer and sometimes author... I'm ex Army - adore dogs and never happier than hiking over the hills or with a good book on a beach.
innokin-proton-kit-reviewVapes well especially with the Plexus coil and features an excellent menu with funky joystick control...marked down in design only for the offset 510...that aside I'm more than happy to recommend this one!

7 COMMENTS

  1. After only two months use the battery door cover has become loose.
    Every time I put my Proton down the battery door pops open – it even opens during use.
    I have to use an elastic band to keep the battery cover door closed.
    Not a very elegant solution.
    Avoid purchasing.

  2. Hi I have just purchased 1 off these models and am waiting for it to arrive tomorrow , now the question I would like to pose is how long do the coils last also are there any problems with leaking ? the reason I am asking is because I had a T-Priv by Smok and it had a TFV12 Prince tank on it which leaked into the unit and is now ruined, hence the reason for the purchase of the Proton. you have not mentioned in you r review about this so I am presuming that there isn’t a problem but if you could answer this I would be very greatful.

    • Absolutely no problems with leaking from the Scion tank – I found it a very solid performer. As to how long the cols last – that’s obviously to some extent down to what e-liquid you;re using [some will kill coils quickly] and how often you vape! What I can say is the Plexus coils [mesh] are superb and last a lot longer than most – Innokin say x3 longer than regular coils – I found maybe twice 😉 Hope that helps and great choice of kit!

  3. Just received my kit today after reading your review. Still playing with it at the moment but I love it…..it produces so much more flavour with my Aspire Cleito Exo tank on compared to my now redundant Smok Alien.

    I wanted to try the Scion 2 tank with the mesh coil and the flavours are more intense. As per your review on the tank, I had to remove the silicone bung as a) it was needing to be refilled constantly and b) it made it hard to fill with the bigger tipped bottles. Now it fills up brilliantly and last a bit longer.

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